The girl was a fourth-grader at Washington Park Intermediate School and a cheerleader, according to her grandfather, Sherman Brown, who said Taniyah was shot during a home invasion by intruders who were looking for someone in the residence.

Washington city police said the intruders kicked in a downstairs door, walked upstairs to the second floor and fired shots. A bullet went through the apartment's solid wood door and hit Taniyah, who lived there with her baby brother, her mother and the mother's boyfriend.

"We believe she was asleep when the incident began, and she got up and moved throughout the apartment," Detective Daniel Stanek said. "She was struck by at least one bullet."

Police believe the apartment was targeted, but they do not know the identities or the total number of the people involved. They are hoping someone will come forward with information to help the investigation.

Court documents show that the girl's mother, Shantye Brown, is facing felony drug charges of possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver. According to state police, a confidential informant bought crack cocaine from Brown in Burgettstown. She is awaiting an April preliminary hearing in connection with those charges.

Police said they were also looking into the criminal history of Brown's boyfriend, Robert Lester. Police said he has been arrested in the past on drug charges and currently has an assault case pending.

The news of Thomas' death hit her classmates very hard, according to Washington School District Superintendent Dr. Roberta DiLorenzo.

"They can expect to have many dark days ahead -- thinking about her, looking at her empty seat," said DiLorenzo.

A team of grief counselors was brought to the school where parents and students were mourning the loss of Taniyah. Mishua Patterson said her son rode the bus with the girl.

"I told him there was an accident and it was a little girl that rode his bus. I brought him to school and I told him if he has any problems to call his teacher. They have counselors here for the kids to talk to," said Patterson.

Plans for a memorial were not in place, but school officials said they anticipated making plans with family members in the near future.